Coast Guard's Pipavav station set to become reality

GANDHINAGAR: After over two years delay, the Indian Coast Guard will be commissioning its much-awaited station in Pipavav, Amreli, on Friday. The state government has already given the Indian Coast Guard land for setting up its offices and residential quarters for the staff.

However, the marine security agency is yet to set up full-fledged infrastructure facilities at Pipavav. Anyways, it is now going ahead with its plan of commissioning the station at Pipavav, which had been conceived together with Veraval and Mundra stations.

The Pipavav station would be inaugurated by minister Anandiben Patel. The number of stations under the jurisdiction of Coast Guard Region (North West) with the latest addition will be seven. The Indian Coast Guard would now have stations in Jakhau, Vadinar, Okha, Porbandar, Veraval, Mundra and Pipavav.

The operations of the station would be monitored from Rajula. This is till the time the Indian Coast Guard sets up its own infrastructure on the land given to it by the state government. The berthing facility of APM Terminals and Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company Ltd would be used by Indian Coast Guard. This is a temporary arrangement until the Indian Coast Guard sets up its own jetty and other infrastructure to help its ships drop anchor at Pipavav, sources said. Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company Ltd officials were not available for comment.

Meanwhile, a senior officer of APM Terminals, which operates the Pipavav Port, said, "We are happy to accommodate the Indian Coast Guard. This concerns the country's security. At least four ships can be berthed at our jetty. However, the Indian Coast Guard would be using our facilities only for a limited period. It has worked out an arrangement with another company which will be allowing its berthing facilities till the Indian Coast Guard is ready with its own."